First female Viper demo team chief relieved of command after two weeks

[dufus]

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Capt. Zoe Kotnik clips on her mask in her F-16 Fighting Falcon prior to a sortie Nov. 2, 2017, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. On Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, just two weeks after taking command of the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, Kotnik, was relieved as commander, officials said Tuesday.
SAMUEL KING JR./U.S. AIR FORCE

WASHINGTON – Air Force Capt. Zoe Kotnik, the first female F-16 pilot to lead the service’s Viper demonstration team, was relieved of command Monday, just two weeks after taking the team’s reins, officials said Tuesday.

Col. Derek O’Malley, the commander of the 20th Fighter Wing, removed Kotnik from her position after losing confidence in her ability to lead and command the demonstration team, which showcases the newest model of F-16V fighter jets at airshows throughout the country, according to an Air Combat Command statement.

O’Malley attempted to explain his decision in a social media post on the Shaw Air Force Base’s Facebook page.

“We have thousands of airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect,” he wrote. “As good people, like Capt. Kotnik make mistakes, I want them to have the opportunity to learn from them without being under public scrutiny, and to continue to be a part of this great service. They’ll be better for the experience, and in turn, we’ll be better as an Air Force.”

O’Malley acknowledged Kotnik’s removal would be tough on her, but he said she was “surrounded by wingmen [who] will help her every step of the way.”

• Capt. Alannah Staver, a spokeswoman for the 20th Fighter Wing, which is based at Shaw in South Carolina, declined to provide additional information about Kotnik’s removal.

  She has been replaced by Maj. John Waters, who previously commanded the demonstration team, Staver said. The team’s first scheduled performance for 2019 is March 30 and 31 at Naval Air Station Key West in Florida.

  “The Viper demonstration team is working to minimize impacts on scheduled performances and looks forward to inspiring crowds around the country during their upcoming season,” she said.

  Kotnik’s selection to lead the Viper team on Jan. 29 garnered significant attention on social media and in the news, as the Air Force featured her in comic book-style imagery, evoking advertising for the upcoming movie “Captain Marvel.” The film is set to premiere March 8 and features Brie Larson in the role of the titular superhero, whose alter ego Carol Danvers is an Air Force F-16 pilot.

• https://www.stripes.com/first-female-viper-demo-team-chief-relieved-of-command-after-two-weeks-1.568393

 

getting job because pretty dangerous for other pilots think it was recruitment drive or hollywood pentagon pressure